Merck Animal Health Announces Two-Dose Option for PORCILIS® ILEITIS
MADISON, N.J., August 10, 2020 – Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada), today announced PORCILIS® ILEITIS is now approved for multi-dose administration to vaccinate against ileitis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. Previously approved to be given as one 2 mL dose at three weeks of age, the new license includes an option to administer two, 1 mL doses and to vaccinate as early as three days of age with a booster three weeks later.
“The new label claim gives veterinarians and swine producers the option to start vaccinating against ileitis at the time of piglet processing,” says Jack Creel, DVM, associate director of swine technical services. “The timing also allows it to be administered at the same time as Circumvent® PCV G2 or Circumvent® PCVM G2 vaccines as recommended by a veterinarian.”
PORCILIS ILEITIS received USDA approval in 2015 and was the first licensed injectable vaccine against the disease, which often causes subtle performance challenges across a herd due to its subclinical nature. Unlike live attenuated vaccines, this inactivated vaccine provides protection without interference that can be caused by antibiotic treatments, so it is not necessary to remove feed- or water-grade antibiotics during the vaccination period.
“PORCILIS ILEITIS has been a valuable tool to help producers better manage this disease. Now they have the option of a one- or two-dose protocol, with both offering long lasting, strong protection against ileitis,” says Dr. Creel.
PORCILIS ILEITIS comes in 100 or 500 mL sizes and is ready-to-use with no mixing. To learn more about PORCILIS ILEITIS, visit the Merck Animal Health website.
About Merck Animal Health
For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter at @MerckAH.